Left handed Charith Asalanka, Skipper of Southern Province scored 219 runs, the highest individual total of the ongoing SLC under 17 inter-provincial tournament as another two matches ended without outright decisions.
Southern Province vs Western Province North
Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis of Richmond College, Galle put up put on 272 runs for the 2nd wicket with skipper, Charith hammering 219 runs in 261 balls which included 10 sixes and 25 fours, while Mendis scored 106 runs in 188 balls with 13 boundaries and a six.
Asalanka’s efforts gave his team a mammoth score of 443 before declaring the innings but the Western Province North batsmen combined perfectly together to chase down Southern score as they posted 448 for the loss of 9 wickets at close of play on day 2. Isipathana captain Salinda Ushan Perera stroked brilliant 158 runs while Malinga Amarasinghe scored his 2nd century of the tournament with another fine knock of 114. Charana Nanayakkara fell 4 runs short of his century as Western Province North won the game on first innings at MCA grounds.
Chief Scores:
Southern – 443 for 6 declared in 95 overs :Charith Asalanka 219, Kamindu Mendis 106, Charana Nanayakkara 2/49, Kavishka Anjula 2/103.
Western Province North – 448/9 in 96 overs: Salinda Ushan 158, Malinga Amarasinghe 114. Charana Nanayakkara 94, Charith Asalanka 3/142.
Western Province South vs Central-North XI
Himasha Liyanage of Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya highlighted for Western Province South as Central-North XI was beaten on first innings at Pallekelle International stadium.
Western Province South easily came home with first innings points after they posted 377 for 9 declared in 100 overs. Himasha Liyanage made 135 runs while Avishka Fernando from St. Sebastian College, Moratuwa contributed with an elegant 96 runs. Himasha’s 135 came in 196 balls and he hit 19 fours and 2 sixes in his beautiful knock. Maliyadeva left-arm spinner Damitha Silva captured a five-wicket haul for Central-North XI but they faulted in their chase as they were restricted only to 166 runs. Trinitian Raveen Sayer top scored with 66 runs while Thilan Nimesh and Ravindu Thillakaratne shared 7 wickets amongst them. Western Province South was 115/4 at close of play on day 2. Himasha Liyanage once again excelled with 43 runs.
Chief Scores:
Western Province South (1st inn) – 377 for 9 declared in 100 overs :Himasha Liyanage 135, Avishka Fernando 96, Sandaruwan Fernando 30*, Damitha Silva 5/81, Raveen Sayer 2/72.
Central-North XI (1st inn) – 166 all out in 69 overs : Raveen Sayer 60, Keshan Wanniarachchi 33,Thilan Nimesh 4/52, Ravindu Thilakarathne 3/31.
Western Province South (2nd inn) – 115 for 4 in 24.1 overs : Himasha Liyanage 43, Rashmika Opatha 33, Ravindu Thilakarathne 19*.
